Lark (album)

Lark is the second studio album released by British singer songwriter Linda Lewis. It was recorded at Apple studio for Reprise Records and released in 1972.[1]

Lark
Studio album by
Linda Lewis
Released1 January 1972 (1972-01-01)
RecordedApple Studio, London
GenreSoul, Rhythm and blues
Length40:08
LabelReprise
ProducerLinda Lewis, Jim Cregan
Linda Lewis chronology
Say No More
(1971)		 Lark
(1972)		 Fathoms Deep
(1973)

The cover was designed by English art director John Kosh with photography by Peter Howe.[1]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau's Record GuideB–[3]

In June 2015 Rolling Stone included Lark on their list of 20 R&B Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard. They describe it as "an unusual type of soul music: stripped down, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar and piano, casual, "a delight." [4]

In 1973 Rolling Stone critic Vince Aletti wrote "Linda Lewis has this very strange voice. It's like a little girl's: high, with a breathy sort of purity, full of recklessness and wit. But it also has an unexpectedly rough texture which cuts into the little-girl quality so that, while she sounds like no one else, there are moments when she feels like early Stevie Wonder crossed with Michael Jackson — an extraordinary combination.[4]

In April 2015 Gilles Peterson rated Lark at number 77 of his top 100 Albums that every Gilles Peterson fan should have. He described the album as "bold, dramatic and chilling yet smooth, soulful and comforting, this record encompasses the British musician at her best." [5]

Allmusic's Amy Hanson reviewed Lark as "the best of Linda Lewis' early '70s output" and concludes, "the end result is an album that, even today, defines Lewis at her dramatic best – and sounds as fresh to modern ears as it did to Bowie fans back then."[6]

Lewis performed "It's The Frame" and "What Are You Asking Me For" live on BBC Two's The Old Grey Whistle Test in April 1972.[7]

Track samples

Track 2 – "Reach for the Truth" (whole track) was sampled in "Reach Out" by Midfield General (2000).[8]

Track 8 – "Old Smokey" (hook/riff) was sampled in "Go!" by Common feat. John Mayer and Kanye West (2005).[9]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Spring Song"Linda Lewis02:08
2."Reach for the Truth"Linda Lewis04:48
3."It's The Frame"Linda Lewis03:38
4."Feeling Feeling"Linda Lewis03:05
5."What Are You Asking Me For"Linda Lewis02:50
6."Lark"Linda Lewis04:31
7."Rock A Doodle Do" 03:26
8."Old Smokey"Linda Lewis03:21
9."Gladly Give My Hand"Linda Lewis02:40
10."More Than A Fool" 03:24
11."Been My Best"Linda Lewis02:53
12."Waterbaby"Linda Lewis03:55
13."Little Indians" 02:53
Total length:40:08

Personnel

All personnel credits adapted from the album's sleeve notes.[1]

  • Linda Lewis - vocals, guitar, electric piano, guiro, tambourine, wind chimes
Additional musicians
Production

References
  1. Lark (LP). Linda Lewis. London, UK: Reprise Records. 1972. K 44208.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Hanson, Amy. "Lark – Linda Lewis". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: L". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 1 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. "20 R&B Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard". Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  5. "Gilles Peterson / Must Have Album #77". Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  6. Hanson, Amy. Lark: Linda Lewis at AllMusic
  7. Presenter: Richard Williams (18 April 1972). "The Old Grey Whistle Test live performances by Linda Lewis". The Old Grey Whistle Test. London. 5:45 minutes in. BBC. BBC Two.
  8. "Reach for the Truth sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  9. "Old Smokey sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.


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